ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings men's water polo team improved to 5-0 in MPSF action on Saturday, defeating the Washington & Jefferson Presidents and Austin 'Roos at home.
In game one vs. the Presidents, the two teams played to an even opening quarter after notching three goals apiece. The Vikings broke away with a big second quarter, out-scoring the visitors 7-1 over the course of the eight minutes leading up to half. Five different players tallied scores in the period, including two each from both
Oskar Bannister and
Ian Palmroos. Augie led 10-4 at the break.
The Augie offense slowed down in the third, but the defense continued to shine as they held the Presidents without a score while adding two to its own total.
Joseph Addison and
Alden Brinkmeier each secured a goal in the frame to push the advantage to 12-4 heading into the fourth. One more tally from both Addison and Brinkmeier in the final quarter moved the final score to 14-5.
Addison boasted a team-best four goals in the win, while three others had two scores.
Ian Root earned the win in net after making five stops.
In game two against Austin, the two teams battled tough in the opening frame, each scoring once to make it a 1-1 deadlock after eight minutes.
Colin McDowell broke the tie early in the second with his second goal of the contest, but the 'Roos took the lead 90 seconds later with back-to-back scores. The Vikings out-scored the 'Roos 3-1 the rest of the period, seeing tallies from
Jake Fisher,
James Davis, and Addison. The goal from Addison with six seconds remaining in the half made it a 5-4 advantage for Augie heading into the break.
Austin evened the game with the first goal of the second half, but Augustana answered with three additional scores to close out the third quarter and jumpstart a 4-0 run.
Mark Addison and Davis both secured goals during the outburst along with two from Bannister to bring the game to 9-5. The 'Roos notched a pair of points in the final six minutes, but the Vikings held off the late rally to hang on for the 9-7 victory.
Declan Hutton stopped 13 shots in the win.
With the results, the Vikings improve to 11-5 on the season and 8-0 in MPSF action. The team will be back in action tomorrow vs. Connecticut and Penn State Behrend.
